is excited to rejoin The Broadway Company of The Lion King after traveling with The National Tour, during which time he had the honor of performing at The White House. NYC/Regional: Ataria, Cutman, G word, Miss Saigon, Songs For A New World, Godspell, A Chorus Line, Film and Television: The Electric Company (Leo Watson) Last of The Ninth (HBO Pilot) Made For Each Other, Expiration Date, Game Over. Always for Granny and Boogie. Twitter/Instagram @lsteventaylor

Ben is pumped to be making his Broadway debut! Ben holds an MFA (Acting) from Rutgers University, where credits included Antigone, Romeo and Juliet, In the Sawtooths and more. His BFA (Acting/Musical Theatre) is from Abilene Christian University, where credits included Jane Eyre and Seussical. TV: "The Good Wife," "Louie." Endless thanks to God, his incomparable wife and the family.

Coming from the Las Vegas production, Jelani is excited and blessed to be working with the Disney family again! Past shows include Disney High School Musical and High School Musical 2, Parade, Cabaret, and Smokey Joes Cafe. As a director, teacher, and choreographer, Jelani is always putting up new works, workshops and concerts all over the country! Stay connected! IG: itsjelaniremy twitter: @jelaniremy Much love to his family, teachers and friends. AEA “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Chantel Riley - Nala

Broadway Debut! I’m excited to be given this opportunity after having my first audition and theatre experience that landed me the role as Nala in The Lion King Germany. Dreams do come true! Thank you Jesus for continuing to be faithful and keep me strong. Family and friends I love you and thanks for your support and prayers. @chantel_riley, www.chantelriley.com

James Brown-Orleans - Banzai

James Brown-Orleans originated the role of Banzai on The Lion King Gazelle Tour and is thrilled to be part of the Broadway company. James can be seen as Doc Motors in Disney’s The Princess Diaries. He is also the founder of Protected by Imagination Inc. “media to inspire." Check out his website to find out more about his passion to empower.

“¡Arriba y Adleante!” Enrique is delighted to make his Broadway debut after appearing in German productions of The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Cats and Joseph…. Other credits include Cats (national tour), West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Pippin, Grease (regional) and the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts in L.A. NYC is great, but I miss you Schatzi.

From Brooklyn, NY. Began her career as a Fisher Price infant print model, and at age two started training with Purelements: An Evolution in Dance. She is a member of the Voices of Trey Concert Choir at Trey Whitfield School, and is honored to make her Broadway debut as Young Nala.

Nathaniel Logan McIntyre - Young Simba at certain performances

Nathaniel is thrilled to join the cast of Disney’s Lion King BROADWAY! He has performed with the cast of the Gazelle tour for 14 months, which included performing at The White House for the First Lady. Nathaniel is 11 years old and is truly living out his dream. With the love and support of his parents, siblings, Grandparents, family and friends, he continues to reach for the STARS! He is grateful for all of his accomplishments thus far and understands that none of it would be possible without the blessing from God. Follow me on instagram @thenatemcintyre.

Jahi Diallo Winston - Young Simba at certain performances

Ten years old from metro Atlanta, GA. This is Jahi's debut role on Broadway. He loves singing, dancing and acting. Jahi would like to thank God, his parents, family, friends and all those who have supported his dream of being an entertainer.

India is excited to be making her Broadway debut! Graduate: Ailey/Fordham BFA. Experience: NBA Brooklyn Nets, Elisa Monte and Balance Dance Theatre. Television: ABC’s “GMA” and PIX 11 News. Film: The Other Woman (Dir. Nick Cassavettes). Much love and thanks to my family and friends.

Elishah Bowman - Ensemble

Elishah was born in Newark, NJ, where he attended Arts High School, majoring in Dance. Elishah attended Alvin Ailey School as a fellowhip scholarship student and performed in the repertory works Revelations and Memoria.

Lindiwe Dlamini, an original cast member, has appeared in Sarafina! (Broadway and national tour). Performances: Radio City Music Hall, Pocahontas in Central Park, Grover Washington, “Arsenio,” “David Letterman,” “Jay Leno,” 1998 Tony Awards and Essence Awards.

Angelica Edwards is making her Broadway debut. She has danced with Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, Kevin Iega Jeff/Deeply Rooted and the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, and received her BFA from Ohio State University. She thanks God.

Jim Ferris - Standby Zazu, Timon, Pumbaa

Broadway debut! Tours: The Lion King (1st national); Hello, Dolly! Off-B’way: Prelude to the First Day (Emerging Artists). Regional: Privates on Parade (Studio Theatre), Into the Woods (Signature Theatre), Over the River… (Totem Pole Playhouse). Thanks for coming and keeping me employed!

Rosie Lani Fiedelman - Ensemble

B'way: In the Heights (original cast). Off-B'way: In the Heights, Heat Wave: The Jack Cole Project. Other credits: American Dance Machine 21, JMTW. To my family: I love you!

Christopher Freeman - Ensemble

Christopher Freeman began his career as a member of the Joffrey Ballet and danced three seasons with Complexions. Theatre credits include the Broadway productions of La Cage aux Folles, The Boy From Oz, The Lion King, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake. National tours include West Side Story, Rent and Carousel.

Pia Hamilton - Ensemble

Broadway debut! Credits: A Chorus Line (Connie), Aida, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Companies: Deeply Rooted, River North (apprentice). TV: original cast member (Min) on “Barney and Friends.” Proud owner of Intrigue Dance. Love to family, friends and Dustin.

Jamal Lee Harris - Ensemble

Broadway Debut! Tours: Miss Saigon, The Full Monty. Other credits: Ragtime, …Spelling Bee and The Wiz. Special thanks to Dustin Flores and The Mine, Rose, my sister Kellee, and my Mom for their love and support. Graduate of Ithaca College. Follow me on Twitter @Jamallee

Kenny Ingram - Swing

Broadway debut! Original member, Cheetah National tour; Taipei, Taiwan with The Lion King. Chicago credits: Ragtime; Show Boat; Joseph…; The Good Person of Setzuan w/Cherry Jones; Kiss Me, Kate (Paul). Jeff Award for Mr. Magix in My One and Only.

Andre Jackson - Swing

Andre enthusiastically makes his return to Broadway after starring as Simba in both the Las Vegas and U.S. National Touring casts of The Lion King - receiving a BroadwayWorld Best Lead Actor Award nomination for his performance. Andre is a proud alumnus of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts and is currently starring in the upcomin military action series, "BLACK." This and every performance is a tribute to the two great loves of his life: his beautiful wife CJ and his awesome son Luke. "Hakuna Matata!" www.andrejackson.com

Lisa Lewis began her career with Dance Theatre of Harlem. Credits: Radio City Rockettes (Asst. Dance Captain), West Side Story (La Scala Opera), Broadway Cares’ Nothing Like a Dame, Grammy®/Tony® Awards. Thanks to family and friends.

Mduduzi Madela - Ensemble

Bornand raised in Durban, South Africa. Has a profoundpassion for music. Acclaimed for successfully producing a debut album sung in French, Zulu and Creole. Ideal: No level of satisfaction.

Jaysin McCollum was born in Cincinnati, OH. He has performed with North Carolina Dance Theatre, Chautauqua Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and the Las Vegas company of The Lion King.

Ray Mercer - Ensemble

Ray Mercer, an Omaha, NE, native, comes directly from The Lion King Cheetah tour. Danced with Deeply Rooted/Chicago and George Faison and has toured with Aretha Franklin. Thanks to family and friends for their love and support.

Kyle Lamar Mitchell - Swing

Kyle is exhilarated for his Broadway debut! A graduate of Yale University, favorite productions include A Chorus Line, The Wiz and Parade. Endless love to his friends, family and his superhuman Mom!

S'bu Ngema - Ensemble

S’bu Ngema, from South Africa, Zululand, is very excited to join The Lion King on Broadway. Credits: Sarafina with M’Bongeni Ngema, I Pintombi with Bertha Egnos. His performances are dedicated to his mother Sibongile. Love always.

Nhlanhla Ngobeni - Ensemble

Nhlanhla is an actor, voice over artist, song writer and singer with 10 years backing vocalist experience. He's multilingual and performed on numerous international stages. 2013-2014 he was in The Lion King Brazil cast.

James A. Pierce III - Swing

Regional: On the Town (Paper Mill Playhouse). TV/Film: Unfaithful: Stories of Betrayal, SMASH, Civil War and The Music Of Regret. Web Series: Heather's American Medicine, The Boys Who Brunch, and Is It Me? Companies: Martha Graham, BalletMet Columbus, Ballet Hispanico, Ailey 2, Complexions and the Santa Fe Opera. Jerome Robbins Scholar. Garduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA program. Inspiration: Michael Jackson. Look Mommy, I'm on Broadway!

Chondra La-Tease Profit - Sarabi/ Ensemble

Broadway debut! Favorite credits: Storyville (Fifi), Twist (Della u/s), Once on the Island (TiMoune), Ragtime (Sarah's Friend), Aida (Nehebka). All thanks to God for this unbelievable opportunity. Thanks to my parents, family and friends for their undying love and support. www.chondraprofit.com

From Durban, South Africa. 2009 SAMA nominee. The Lion King: Gazelle Tour ('02), originated Rafiki in the Cheetah Tour ('03), BTAA nominee ('03), West End ('05-'08), performed on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Other credits: The Festival of The Lion King (Hong Kong Disneyland). Film: Qhakaza. Thank you, Lion King, for another chance. Glory to God!

Kellen Stancil - Swing/Dance Captain

Kellen is excited to be reunited with his Lion King Family. Credits: The Lion King (Broadway, Las Vegas, and National Tour), Franco Dragone's Le Reve, and Cirque Du Soleil's Viva Elvis. Mahalo to my family and friends for all the love and support!

Returning from her Broadway debut in The Lion King Broadway. Companies: The Lion King Las Vegas and Gazelle North American Tour, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Lula Washington Dance Theatre. Movie: Fox Films “Avatar.” Graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and Woodside High for the Performing Arts. Former Miss Black LA and Miss Suffolk. Thanks to my Heavenly Father and family.

Natalie Turner - Swing

Theatre credits: Movin’ Out (West End, U.S. national tour), The King and I (Eliza, U.S. national tour). Dance companies: Martha Graham Dance Company, Elisa Monte Dance, Ballet Hispanico. Broadway debut: The Lion King.

Donna Michelle Vaughn - Ensemble

Broadway debut! Native of Baltimore. Dance companies include Chicago’s Hubbard Street 2 and Dance Works (dir. Julie Nakagawa Bottcher). Original cast of The Lion King (Las Vegas). Thanks to God, family and friends for love and support.

Broadway: The Lion King, Latinologues, The Good Body, John Leguizamo’s Sexaholix, Kat and the Kings. Off-Broadway: Trumbo, Tabletop, Boy Gets Girl, Eric Bogosian’s Wake Up and Smell the Coffee and Tap Dogs including the West End and Edinburgh Festival.

Tom Reynolds - Assistant Stage Manager

B’way: [title of show], The Color Purple, Curtains. Off-B’way: [title of show], Five Course Love, The Immigrant , Eyewitness Blues, Golf the Musical, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Finder’s Fee, Right You Are. Tour: The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, Anything Goes. Regional: Studio Arena and Little Theatre on the Square.

is humbled to join The Lion King Cast. He is a proud graduate from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Originally from the island of Aunu'u in American Samoa, Gerald was also raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Past performances: Lead Performer "Ha: The Breath of Life", Lead Dancer "Te Here", Dancer "Rainbows of Paradise" & "Ali'i Luau", Lead Role "My Name is Gary Cooper" . This amazing opportunity and all of these blessings are completely credited to my family and friends who made me who I am. Soifua.

Tshidi Manye - Rafiki

Tshidi toured Europe and Japan with M. Bongeni Ngema in the hit musical Sarafina. Other stage credits: Rafiki in the Broadway and Toronto productions of The Lion King, Daughter of Nebo by Hillary Bletcher, Mfowethu by Gibson Kente, The Stick by Aubrey Sekhabi. Honored to have performed with legendary artists such as Paul Simon, David Byrne, Hugh Masekela, Jabu Khanyile, Vusi Mahlasela. Album: Sisters of Joy. Thank you God.

A proud Chicagoan, Aaron received his BA in Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago. His regional theater credits include columbinus 2.0 (ATC), RENT (ATC), and Dreamgirls (Theater 47). He made his television debut as "Kyle" in NBC's “Chicago Fire.”Love to Ashley and Aaydin, his parents and the rest of his family. He dedicates his performances to his uncle Dr. Larry E. Ross.

is thrilled to return to the role that earned her an 2011 Ovation Award nomination. Distinguished alumni of Five Towns College. Thanks to God, Family, & Binder Ctg. Broadway: The Lion King (Nala), Motown: the Musical (Mary Wells), Pippin (Leading Player u/s) "Dream out loud!" @SyndeeWinters

is over the moon to join The Lion King family! Regional credits: The C. A. Lyons Project, Stagger Lee, Much Ado About Nothing, SPUNK, Race, Clybourne Park, A Raisin in the Sun,Cabaret, A Christmas Carol. Film: “Dallas Buyers Club”. MFA Acting graduate from SMU. She sends never-ending love and gratitude to her Mom, Dad, April, Reginald, Auntie Earnestine, Russell, and her amazing friends.

Robbie Swift - Ed (u/s Zazu, Pumbaa, & Timon)

Robbie is honoredand excited to return to the Lion King family. Stage creditsinclude Snoopy!, Rumbles, The Red Flower, Water Children, Our Town, Godspell, etc. Film/Television: On The Run (Hyperboy), “Fastlane” (Fox),“Urban Graffiti” (Fox), “Scrubs” (NBC), etc. Manythanks to God, Mom, Dad, The Starting Five, Familyand Friends. Special thanks to Barry, Karenand Lois Yvonne. Robbie is a proud member ofAEA, SAG and ASCAP. I dedicate this show to my beautiful wife, Lisa. You are my heart, my life, and my inspiration. Thanks for marrying me.

Jamaal (JJ) Batteast - Young Simba at certain performances

is a talented 11 year old 6th grader from Carol stream IL. He feels bless to live out one his dreams on Broadway as young Simba! This is JJ's first major production. He feels honored and blessed to be apart of this first class experience and is marveled by where this journey goes. Supported by his loving parents, grandparents Moore/McClay/Smith, Mt. Vernon church family, his sisters, family and friends!

Tre Jones - Young Simba at certain performances

is happy to be a part of The Lion King as Young Simba! He is an 11 year old actor from Springfield, VA. He is grateful to God for this blessing and thanks his parents, grandparents, teachers and his many relatives and friends for the love and support in making his dream come true.www.iamtrejones.com

Mikari Tarpley - Young Nala at certain performances

Mikari is a 6th grade straight A student from Smyrna, GA who is thrilled to be on tour with The Lion King. Born to entertain, this little triple threat has been dazzling audiences since the age of three. She thanks her parents, family and teachers for giving her the skills to perform. She gives higher thanks to God for her gifts so that she can shine her light for all of the world to see! Folle her adventures @mylifeaskari623 on Instagram and MikariNichelle on Facebook.

Broadway/National Tours: A Night With Janis Joplin (Original Broadway Cast - Blues Singer/Bessie Smith), The Book of Mormon, The Color Purple (Shug Avery- Best Featured Actress in a Touring Musical), The Pajama Game, Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Thank you GOD! www.taprena.com

Raymond Baynard - Ensemble

Raymond is a S.U.N.Y. Purchase graduate debuting with The Lion King Gazelle Tour. He has worked and trained under companies Complexions & Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet. I thank God for always taking care of me, performances dedicated to my angel Karen Williams.

Kyle R. Banks - Ensemble

This New Orleans native received his Masters of Music and has since logged time professionally in several operas, including La Boheme. He made his broadway debut with The Lion King and has also appeared on NBC’s “Lipstick Jungle.”

Kalilah Black - Swing

is from the Bronx, NY. She holds a B.F.A. from NCA&T SU (AGGIE PRIDE!) and is a proud member of the illustrious Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is humbled by her friends' and family's unwavering support on her artistic quest. Such gratitude to the most high! www.KalilahBlack.com

Izell O. Blunt - Swing/Dance Captain

From Jacksonville, Florida, Izell holds aBFA in dance from SMU and has performedin the Broadway, National Tour and LasVegas productions of The Lion King. Izell has performed with Cirque du Soleil in their “One Drop” event and also was an associate choreographer for the major motion picture entitled The Thief.

Amyia is thrilled to be a part of the Lion King cast. She has performed with Disney since 2003 appearing in shows at Tokyo Disney and Disney World. She would like to thank her family (especially Noah and Tally) and friends for their constant love and support. She gives God thanks for continuous blessings and grace. Proud member of AEA.

Thembelihle Cele - Ensemble

Born in Durban, South Africa. Credits:“The Nat & Natalie Show” with Colin Penn & The Pennants, Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses,” Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors,” The Lion King (UK & Ireland Tour). Trained with the “Flatfoot Dance Company.” TV Appearance: ETV POPSTARS 2010. Thembelihle is honored to be a part of the National Tour. She Thanks her Family and God for being the center of it all!

Erynn began her artistic studies at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, where she was cast in various musical theater productions at the Freud and Geffen Playhouse. She then graduated from Fordham University and the Alvin Ailey school with B.F.A. and a minor in communications. Since then she has appeared in various print ads, TV shows, commercials, music videos and films.

Mukelisiwe Goba - Ensemble/Understudy Rafiki

was born in Durban, South Africa. Training: Mbongeni Ngema’s Academy. Credits: K-Cap, Umoja, and Lion King (Madrid). Television: Telethon (France) and 40 Principals (Madrid). She was a back-up vocalist for a South African Gospel star Rebecca Malope. Mukelisiwe thanks her family for their constant support.

Tony Freeman - Standby Pumbaa, Scar,Timon & Zazu

Tony has played Zazu (and occasionally Scar) on Broadway and across the country over 3,000 times. Now he loves also getting to play Timon and Pumbaa. He did Tony Kushner’s musical Caroline, or Change in Los Angeles and San Francisco with the original Broadway cast. Tony performed guest roles on both “Law and Order” (twice) and “Law and Order, SVU”.

is proud to be from Toronto, Canada. Favorite credits include; "The Lion King" (Broadway, Las Vegas, West End and Toronto Companies), "We Will Rock You" (Mirvish), "Cabaret" (Stratford Festival) and "Chicago"(Stage West). Many thanks to THouse, my family and William. Continuous gratitude to God always.

From Chicago, Will last appeared in workshops for Lin Manuel Miranda’s “revolutionary” new musical, Hamilton. This moment is made possible by many relatives, friends, several teachers, a few Halleys, 3 grandparents, 2 parents, one brother and one God. “Be kind, love thy neighbor, and enjoy the show”

(Swing) is honored to be a part of The Lion King National Tour. Stage: Philadanco, Aida (China Tour),The Phantom of the Opera (Broadway & National Tour), Alicia Keys(Girl On Fire Tour); TV and Film: Victoria Secret’s Fashion Show, Beyonce, Friends with Benefits” and So You Think You Can Dance. Thanks to God and my parents for all their Love! www.Mykallaury.com

A native of Montreal Canada, Farah is so honored to be a part of this amazing company. She began her journey with The Lion King Las Vegas company 2 years ago, and she's so thankful and blessed for the amazing opportunity to now be a part of the National Touring company. She would like to thank her family for their support.

Tonoccus McClain - Ensemble/Understudy Banzai

Tonoccus is proud to be making his Touring debut! He could be seen reporting on “Channel One News”, performing in Los Angeles Opera’s Porgy and Bess—3 Academy Awards® live telecasts and heard singing in televisions “Glee”, “The Good Wife” and film soundtracks Avatar, Star Trek, The Simpsons Movie.

from Syracuse, studied at North Carolina Dance Theatre, Lines Ballet School, The Joffrey Ballet School, a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program, and a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 08-13. She can be found in the Best-selling book Dancers Among Us.

Kendra Moore - Swing/Dance Captain

Kendra is Canadian born and trained in Edmonton, Alberta. A member of The Lion King Cheetah tour from 2003–2008, Kendra has danced with Ballet Austin, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She has traveled extensively with all these companies. Love to my family and friends.

Selena Moshell - Ensemble

Selena is from Orlando, FL and a Rollins College graduate (Environmental Studies). She has performed with the Pittsburgh CLO, Orlando City Ballet, Royal Caribbean, and Walt Disney World dancer/aerialist). Selena is grateful to God, family and friends, for their love and support. selenamoshell.com

Rob Parks - Ensemble/Understudy Simba & Ed

Rob is a native of Grand Rapids, Mi., now residing in NYC, Rob is thrilled to be a part of the National Tour of The Lion King! Rob has sung throughout the U.S. and China singing musical theater, jazz and opera. Many thanks to Avalon Artists and Prestige Management.

Born in Queens, New York. Lilli graduated from the Ailey/Fordham University BFA program with Departmental Honors in dance in 2009. And was a member of Evidence Dance Company/Ronald K. Brown.

Kevin Petite - Ensemble

FortWorth, TX, trained at Dian Clough West Studios, Debbie Allen Dance Academy and The Ailey School receiving the prestigious Alvin Ailey Fellowship. Professional credits include Ailey II, and tours of Radio City Christmas Show and Movin’Out.

Maurica Roland - Ensemble/Understudy Nala, Shenzi & Sarabi

Maurica is a Pensacola, FL native and Louisiana State University graduate. Recent credits: American Vybe at Disney World, Orlando, Hairspray First National Tour (swing, u/s Dynamite). “Thanks be to God, family, and friends for your love and support.”

John Sloan III - Ensemble/Understudy Banzai

Detroit native and University of Michigan graduate, John Sloan III is excited to perform with a talented cast and crew. Regional theatre: Aida, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Julius X. John thanks God, his family, friends, agent, cast, and crew.

Vusi Sondiyazi - Ensemble/Understudy Mufasa

Credits include The Lion King on Broadway, National Tour, Taipei, and Taiwan. Thanks to Mum, my two sisters, my twin brother and friends for their love and support.

Tryphena Wade - Sarabi/Ensemble

A Columbus, Ohio native and Howard University graduate. Credits: Ragtime, Trojan Women, and The Secret Garden. She has traveled the Mediterranean as a principal singer with Norwegian Cruise Lines, and most recently as a vocalist at The Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival in Maiori, Italy. "Praises to God for this dream come true!"

Derrick Spear - Ensemble

Derrick is a native of Washington, D.C. He has danced with Washington Reflections Dance Company and National Ballet of Santa Domingo.

Frank Wright II - Swing/Understudy Mufasa

Frank joins the Gazelle Company after having been blessed with performing in the Cheetah and Broadway companies of The Lion King. He thanks God for his wife, Charlotte and son, Paden. With God all things are possible.

Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Jungle Book. International: RSC, Franco Dragone’s House of Dancing Water. NY: 39 Steps, Stew and Heidi Rodewald’s The Total Bent and Family Album, Measure for Measure and As You Like It (Shakespeare in the Park), Public Theater. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Dallas Theater Center. www.stagemanager.nyc

is proud to be back with The Lion King. Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular (ASM), JabbaWockeeZ: Prism (PSM), Lion King - Los Angeles & Cheetah (ASM). Love to my family for their support, and thanks to Stan for the lesson in responsibility.

Michael G. Morales - Assistant Stage Manager

BFA: Theatrical Stage Management. National Tours: The Spectacular New Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages (1st National), Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago and Movin’ Out. Pre-Broadway: Wonderland and Miss Abigail’s Guide…, Regional: My Fair Lady (The Asolo), West Side Story (The Fulton), The Threepenny Opera (Seaside). Special thanks tohis family and his beautiful wife for their love and support. Proud AEA Member.

Katrina Stevens - Advance Stage Manager

Tours: The Book of Mormon, American idiot, Billy Elliot, in the Heights, Avenue Q, Camelot, Peter Pan, Contact, Beauty and the Beast, Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria. Broadway: Sunset Boulevard, Lost in Yonkers, Death and the Maiden, Mastergate, A Month of Sundays, Broadway Bound. AEA since 1987.

Elton John - Music

The monumental career of international singer/songwriter and performer Elton John has spanned more than three decades. He is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with 35 gold and 25 platinum albums and more than 250 million records sold worldwide. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has awarded Elton multiple GRAMMY® Awards, including the Grammy Legend Award. In the early 1990s, Elton collaborated with lyricist Tim Rice on the soundtrack for The Lion King, winning him an Academy Award. The album produced two top-selling, award-winning singles: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.” The Tony Award-winning Broadway productions of The Lion King and Aida both awarded Elton with GRAMMY® Awards for Best Musical Show Album. Billy Elliot was nominated for a record-tying 15 Tony Awards and won 10 including Best Musical. In 1992, Elton established the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which today is one of the leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations. In 1998, the Queen of England knighted him Sir Elton John, CBE. In 2004, Elton received the Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime contributions to American culture and excellence through the performing arts. In 2013, Elton was honored as the first recipient of the prestigious BRITs Icon Award. The Diving Board, his first solo studio album in seven years, was released this fall to stellar reviews.

Tim Rice - Lyrics

Tim Rice has worked in music, theatre and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Tim’s ambitions to write rock or pop songs they turned their attention to Andrew’s obsession – musical theatre. Their first collaboration (lyrics by Tim, music by Andrew) was an unsuccessful show based on the life of Dr.Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist, The Likes Of Us. Their next three works together were much more successful – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. Tim has also worked with other distinguished popular composers such as Elton John (The Lion King, Aida), Alan Menken (Aladdin, King David, Beauty and the Beast) and Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Chess). His first new show for ten years, From Here To Eternity, with music by newcomer Stuart Brayson, co-produced with Lee Menzies, directed by Tamara Harvey, and with book by Bill Oakes, opens in the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre in October 2013. He formed his own cricket team in 1973 and was President of the MCC in 2002. He recently wrote and presented a 52-part series for BBC Radio 2, American Pie, a trawl through the music and musicians of every American State. He has won several awards, mainly for the wrong thing or for simply turning up.

Roger Allers - Book

Roger Allers makes his Broadway debut with co-author Irene Mecchi, with this Tony®-nominated book , adapted from the animated feature, which he co-directed. Mr. Allers has been instrumental in shaping the structure and dialogue for many Disney animated features since 1988, including Aladdin, Beauty &the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Oliver and Company, Rescuers Down Under, Prince & the Pauper and the computer-animated movie, Tron. He directed the Academy Award nominated short The Little Matchgirl for Disney and co-directed the 2006 animated feature Open Season for Sony Studios. Prior to working with Disney, he created animation on children’s programs and features for studios in Boston, Toronto and Tokyo. He is currently writing and directing an animated adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.

Irene Mecchi - Book

Irene Mecci began her association with Disney in March 1992, when she wrote Recycle Rex, an animated short, which won the 1994 Environmental Media Award. Irene is a co-writer of Disney’s animated features The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules. Along with co-author Roger Allers, she received a 1998 Tony® nomination for writing the book for The Lion King. Irene wrote the teleplay for Annie, directed by Rob Marshall. Irene shares a writing credit on Disney Pixar’s Brave and is currently adapting the Warners’ 1954 A Star Is Born film as a stage musical, as well as developing a project with Lucasfilm.

Julie Taymor won the 1998 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical and for Best Costumes for The Lion King. It also garnered Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards for Taymor’s direction; three Moliere Awards, including Best Musical and Best Costumes; and myriad awards for her original costume, mask and puppet designs. Taymor made her Broadway debut in 1996 with Juan Darien: A Carnival Mask (Lincoln Center), nominated for five Tony Awards. Other theatre work includes The Green Bird (New Victory Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, the Cort Theater on Broadway); Titus Andronicus; The Tempest; The Taming of the Shrew (Theatre for a New Audience); The Transposed Heads (Lincoln Center and American Music Theatre Festival); Liberty’s Taken (Castle Hill Festival); and Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark (Hilton Theatre on Broadway). Her opera productions include the Pulitzer finalist, Grendel, composed by Elliot Goldenthal (Los Angeles Opera and the Lincoln Center Festival); Mozart’s Die Zauberflote, in repertory at the Metropolitan Opera since 2004; and Oedipus Rex with Jessye Norman, conducted by Seiji Ozawa, for which she earned the International Classical Music Award for Best Opera Production and an Emmy for a subsequent film version. Her first film “Fool’s Fire,” an adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe short story, aired on PBS in 1992. Her feature films include Titus, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange; Frida, starring Salma Hayek and Alfred Molina (six 2002 Academy Award nominations, winning two); Across the Universe (2008 Golden Globe nomination for Best Musical/Comedy); and The Tempest, starring Helen Mirren, Djimon Hounsou, Russell Brand and Ben Whishaw. She recently directed the play Grounded, starring Anne Hathaway at the Public Theater and completed a cinematic version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream, filmed during her critically acclaimed, sold-out stage production that ran at Theatre for a New Audience's new home in Brooklyn. Taymor has received a MacArthur “genius” Grant, a Guggenheim Fellowship, two Obie Awards and the first annual Dorothy B. Chandler Award in Theater, among many others. A book spanning her career, Julie Taymor: Playing with Fire, is in its third edition from Abrams.

Garth Fagan - Choreographer

Garth Fagan is the recipient of the 1998 Tony® Award for Best Choreography and the 2000 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer (London, UK) as well as the Drama Desk Award, the Astaire Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for his work with The Lion King. Mr. Fagan was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and for more than 33 years has toured the world with Garth Fagan Dance. On television the company has appeared on "Great Performances," "The Tonight Show" and the Academy Awards®. Mr. Fagan forged his own dance language and technique, drawing from modern dance, Afro-Caribbean and ballet, and has choreographed for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Jose Limon Company, the New York City Ballet's 50th Anniversary, and others. In addition, he choreographed Joseph Papp's A Midsummer Night's Dream and the Duke Ellington street opera, Queenie Pie at the Kennedy Center. A distinguished university professor at SUNY Brockport, he has received numerous awards and fellowships, including the 2001 Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award, a Bessie Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Fulbright 50th Anniversary Distinguished Fellow. He has also been inducted into the American Academy of Achievement.

Lebo M. - Additional Music & Lyrics, Vocal Score, Choral Director

Lebo M. is known as the "voice and spirit of The Lion King." Once a teenage singer in Soweto, the Grammy® Award winner and Tony® nominee's music brings audiences to tears with hauntingly inspiring African rhythms and melodies. Lebo's talents have been hailed by the worldwide press in superlatives that might describe the most delightfully poetic of musical deities. Since his arrival in America, Lebo has attracted music industry giants such as Quincy Jones, Jimmy Cliff and Hans Zimmer as mentors, allies and collaborators. Lebo has performed and produced four albums, Rhythm of the Pride Lands (Disney), Deeper Meaning(Gallo) and The Lion King (Japanese and Hamburg cast recordings). Other credits include The Power of One, Back on the Block and Listen Up with Quincy Jones; the feature films Outbreak (Warner Bros.), Congo (Warner Bros.) and Born to Be Wild (Paramount); and the Disney television special "People." He has performed on the Academy Awards® and the Essence Awards Show, with Vanessa Redgrave at Kthimi-The Return in Kosovo, and been honored by Artists for a Free South Africa.

Mark Mancina - Additional music & lyrics, Music produced for the stage, Additional Score

A Tony® nominee and multi-platinum, three-time Grammy Award®-winning composer, he was an obvious choice to produce the music for the stage production of The Lion King, having arranged and produced songs for the blockbuster animated feature film, for which he received both Grammy and American Music awards in 1994. The film also spawned the hit album Rhythm of the Pride Lands, for which Mr. Mancina co-wrote, arranged and produced three tracks, including "He Lives in You" and "Shadowland," which are featured in the stage production. Ranked among the upper echelons of film composers, his credits include mega-hits Training Day, Speed, Twister, Bad Boys, Tarzan and Brother Bear among many others. Current feature films include August Rush, Camille and Shooter.

Hans Zimmer - Additional Music & Lyrics

Hans Zimmer received the Oscar®, Golden Globe® and two Grammy® awards for his original film score for the film version of The Lion King. He started his film scoring career with My Beautiful Laundrette in 1985, and his other credits include six Oscar-nominated film scores, among them Gladiator, The Thin Red Line, As Good as It Gets and Rain Man. Additional credits include the Grammy-winning score for Crimson Tide, Driving Miss Daisy, Thelma and Louise, Black Hawk Down and The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise. Mr. Zimmer also heads the film music division for DreamWorks SKG studios.

Jay Rifkin - Additional Music & Lyrics

The Grammy Award®-winning producer, together with producing and composing partner Hans Zimmer, created Media Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment group that includes music, new media, film and television. Their partnership has earned them numerous awards and nominations, including Academy Award® nominations, for the film scores of Driving Miss Daisy, Rain Man and The Lion King. Following the success of The Lion King, Jay conceived and produced the gold-selling follow-up album Rhythm of the Pride Lands. He is also chairman of Media Revolution and a founder of the film production company Media Ventures Pictures.

Richard Hudson - Scenic Design

Richard Hudson was born in Zimbabwe and educated in Zimbabwe and England. In 1988 he won a Laurence Olivier Award for designing a season of seven plays at the Old Vic Theatre, London. His set designs for The Lion King have won numerous awards, including a Tony in 1998. He is a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI). In 2003 he won the Gold Medal for Set Design at the Prague Quadriennale, and in 2005 he was given an honorary doctorate by the University of Surrey. He has designed sets and costumes for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Young Vic and the Gate, London. In opera he has worked at the Royal Opera, English National Opera, La Scala Milan, Metropolitan Opera New York, Opera National de Paris, Lyric Opera Chicago, Staatsoper Vienna, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and in Zurich, Munich, Amsterdam, Venice, Florence, Turin, Bregenz, Houston and Washington. He designed American Ballet Theatre's current productions of The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet for National Ballet of Canada, and La Bayadère and Le Coq D'or for Royal Danish Ballet.

Donald Holder - Lighting Design

Donald Holder received the 1998 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Lion King (Broadway) and the Moliere Award for The Lion King (Paris). Broadway: ‘The King and I’ (2015 Revival); The Bridges of Madison County;Golden Boy,; South Pacific (2008 Tony Award); Ragtime, Les Liasons Dangereuses; A Streetcar Named Desire; Gem of the Ocean; Movin’ Out; Juan Darien (all Tony nominated); On The Twentieth Century; You Can’t Take It With You; Spiderman-Turn Off the Dark; Promises, Promises; Annie (2012 Revival); Arcadia; Come Fly Away; Cyrano de Bergerac; The Little Dog Laughed; Thoroughly Modern Millie; The Boy from Oz; many others. Off-Broadway: ‘Heisenberg’; Blood and Gifts; Happiness; Observe the Sons of Ulster… (Lortel Award); A Man of No Importance; Jitney; Three Days of Rain; Jeffrey; Spunk, many others. Television: “Smash” seasons one and two, NBC/DreamWorks.

Michael Curry - Mask & Puppet Design

Over 25 years Michael has worked widely as a visual and concept designer for numerous companies, such as Disney Theme Parks and Theatrical Productions, Cirque du Soleil, The Metropolitan Opera, seven Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Universal Studios Theme Parks, and many others. He collaborates regularly with visionary directors and producers. Mr. Curry has received many prestigious awards, including several for his work on Broadway, Olympic ceremonies, and his continued innovations in the fields of scenic visual effects, and puppetry design. In the music industry Michael is known for his innovative designs for Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and countless others. Michael Curry Design, Inc. is comprised of 50 innovative designers and fabricators who conceive and produce state of the art creations for live entertainment. His studio is located in Portland, Oregon.

Steve Canyon Kennedy - Sound Design

Steve Canyon Kennedy was the production engineer on such Broadway shows as Cats, Starlight Express, Song & Dance, The Phantom of the Opera, Carrie and Aspects of Love. Broadway sound design credits include, On Your Feet, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Tony Award), Hands On A Hardbody (Drama Desk Award), Jesus Christ Superstar, Catch Me If You Can, Guys and Dolls, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, Jersey Boys (Drama Desk Award), Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays, Hairspray, The Producers, Aida, Titanic, Big, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Carousel and The Who’s Tommy (Drama Desk Award).

Michael Ward - Hair & Makeup Design

Michael Ward designs for opera and theatre. For Disney: The Lion King (Broadway and others) and Der Glöckner von Notre Dame (Berlin). Other work has been seen in Britain, the United States, Holland, France, Japan, Israel and Portugal. Along with his design work in theatre, he works as a garden and landscape designer.

Binder Casting/Mark Brandon, CSA - Casting

Binder Casting has cast over 70 Broadway shows including the Tony Award® Best Musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Dames at Sea (upcoming), Nice Work If You Can Get It, Born Yesterday, The Miracle Worker, Finian’s Rainbow, Brighton Beach Memoirs, A Chorus Line, Gypsy, 39 Steps, White Christmas, Is He Dead?, Inherit The Wind, Journey’s End, Butley,Virginia Woolf, Sweet Charity, Wonderful Town, Movin’ Out, 42nd Street,Music Man,Iceman Cometh, Charlie Brown, Sound of Music, Beauty & the Beast, Last Night of Ballyhoo, Chicago, King & I, Damn Yankees, Lost in Yonkers, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, The Goodbye Girl and every City Center Encores! production since its inception in 1994.Film/TV/Other: Carousel (NY Philharmonic/PBS), Six by Sondheim (HBO), So You Think You Can Dance, West Side Story (San Francisco Symphony), Hairspray,Dreamgirls, Chicago, Nine. Ten–time Artios Award winner.

Robert Elhai - Associate Producer, Orchestrator

Tony® and Drama Desk nominee Robert Elhai has orchestrated many concert, theatre and film scores for composers Elliot Goldenthal (Juan Darien, Final Fantasy) and Michael Kamen (Don Juan de Marco, X-Men), among others. His arrangements for Metallica's GRAMMY® Award-winning "S&M" made good use of his doctorate in composition from Yale University.

David Metzger - Orchestrator

David Metzger has orchestrated many films, including the Disney animated film Tarzan, Training Day, Domestic Disturbance, Bait and Return to Paradise. His television work includes composing episodes of "The Magnificent Seven" and Disney's "The Legend of Tarzan" and five years as an arranger/composer for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." David was nominated for Tony® and Drama Desk awards for The Lion King.

Bruce Fowler - Orchestrator

Bruce Fowler is an accomplished trombonist who has played with such notables as Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Frank Zappa, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Don Van Vliet. He performs with his family's band, The Fowler Brothers (there are five Fowlers); his own band, The Enormous Bones; and Banned from Utopia. Bruce was the supervising orchestrator for Pearl Harbor (he also composed the big band numbers), Shrek, As Good as It Gets, Black Hawk Down and Hans Zimmer's Academy Award®-winning The Lion King movie score.

Clement Ishmael - Musical Supervisor

Clement is a conductor, composer and arranger. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto and Royal Conservatory of Music, where he specialised in composition and conducting as well as singing with Joyce Britten. Conducting credits include Abbey Players Opera Company, Ad Astra Chorus, Addison Jazz Ensemble and West London Gospel Choir. He also conducted the new ballet Awakening at Sadlers Wells. West End credits include: Five Guys Named Moe, Ain't Misbehavin' Smokey Joe's Café, and Soul Train. He has also directed and arranged the music for numerous shows which include: Sweet Lorraine, Up Against the Wall, The Amen Corner, The Grape Vine, The Cavalcaders and most recently Gem of the Ocean at the Tricycle Theatre. His classical compositions and arrangements have been performed worldwide as well as being broadcast by BBC Television and Radio. His opera Grazyna was performed at the Royal Opera House's Lindbury Studio and his most recent commission, for the London Piano Trio was performed at Cardogan Hall in 2008.

John Stefaniuk - Associate Director

A native of Toronto, Canada, John studied theatre at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Upon leaving school, John worked as an actor and voice over artist in both Canada and the U.K. He can be heard in many cartoons and commercials as well as being heard as the voice of the Cartoon Network. He has taught, directed and guest lectured for many theatre schools and colleges in Toronto, New York, and London including the Royal Academy of Music, Sylvia Young Theatre School, and Duke University. For three years John was the Artistic Director for Stagedoor Manor in New York directing many productions including Side Show, Sweeney Todd and A Midsummer Night's Dream starring Natalie Portman and Bryce Howard. John has worked as Resident Director for Cameron Macintosh and JAR Productions on Hey Mr. Producer! and for Disney's The Lion King at London's Lyceum Theatre as well as the American National Tour. John is thrilled to be continuing his work with this incredible company.

Marey Griffith - Associate Choreographer

A native New Yorker, Miss Griffith toured worldwide with the acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as a featured dancer/soloist for 8 years. She is most known for her performances in the works of the late, world renowned choreographer Ulysses Dove. Other guest appearances include Déjà vu Dance Theatre, and the Spoleto festival in Italy. She worked as co-choreographer on the star studded production of The Wizard of Oz in concert at Avery Fisher Hall with Nathan Lane, Joel Grey, Jewel and Natalie Cole. Miss Griffith has appeared in numerous commercials and voice-overs. Her soap opera credits include As the World Turns and Another World. She has also performed with Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA. Miss Griffith joined the creative team of The Lion King in August of 2000. She feels privileged to work with choreographer Garth Fagan.

The Lion King - Orchestra

The Lion King orchestra is one of the three largest orchestras currently on Broadway. Its 23 members play 132 different instruments, 87 of which are played by the four percussionists. For more information on Broadway orchestras and the members of The Lion King orchestra, visit www.broadwaymusicians.com.